Terminal locator for crimping tool

ABSTRACT

This specification discloses a crimping tool for attaching a terminal to an insulated conductor and which tool includes a terminal locator which accurately positions the terminal relative to the dies of the tool. A terminal with which the tool is intended for use includes a tubular end portion terminating in a pair of opposed notches spaced from the terminal end. A pair of flanges upstand from the terminal on the sides of the notches remote from the tubular portion. These notches are used in locating the terminal relative to the crimping dies. The locator consists of a slide that is mounted on the outer face of a jaw of the tool and has an inclined tongue that is adapted to be fitted in the notches in the terminal. The slide is maintained against the jaw face by a spring and is biased to an effective position by an expansion coil spring mounted at the lower edge of the jaw.

United States i Patent n 1 11 3,710,611 Filia 1 Jan. 16, 1973 [54]TERMINAL LOCATOR FOR CRIMPING TOOL Primary Examiner-Charles W. LanhamAssistant Examiner-Michael J. Keenan 75 I t G F l Sh lt C rive. or eorgeJ I e mm Attorney-Schellin and Hoffman [73] Assignee: Sargent & Company,New Haven,

1 Com 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filedi' Dec-8,1970 This specification discloses acrimping tool for. at- 2 AppL 9 052 taching a terminal to an insulatedconductor and i which tool includes a terminal locator which accurate-1y positions the terminal relative to the dies of the [52] US. Cl..72/410, 29/203 1-! tool A terminal with which the tool is intended for[51] Int. Cl. ..B2ld 9/08 use 'includes a tubular end a port onterm-mating in a [5.8] new of Search pair of opposed notches spaced fromthe terminal end. A pair of flanges upstand from the terminal on the i Ysides of the notches remote from the tubular portion. [56] References CThese notches are used in locating the terminal rela- UNITED STATESPATENTS tive to the crimping dies. The locator consists of a 3 523 351 81970 29 282 slide that is mounted on the outer face of a jaw of the3:487:524 limo Fili: I: III29i2s2 m0] l has incliied'tongue. that i i 295 5 9/l960 Lazarm" 29,203 H fitted m the llOiCllOS 1n the terminal TheSll'Cle l'S mam- 3,315,337 4/1967 Stull 29/203 H tamed against the awface by a spring and 1S biased to 2,411,838 11/1946 Swengel ..72/410 aneffective position by an expansion coil spring 3,457,764 7/1969 McKee/410 mounted at the lower edge of the jaw.

3,504,417 4/1970 Filia ....72/4l0 5 3,420,086 1/1969 Long et a1...72/410 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FIG.

PATENTEDJAHB i973 3.710.611

SHEEI 1 [IF 3 I INVENTOR GEORGE J. FILIA ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 16 I973SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG. 5.

INVENTOR GEORGE J. Fl Ll A ATTORNEYS PATENTEUJAH 16 I975 3.710.611

' SHEET 3 or 3 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR- GEORGE J. FILIA BY w g 5% ATTORNEYS The present inventionrelates to crimping tools of the type employed to crimp a terminal ontoan insulated I conductor having a bared end portion and is concernedBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I A terminal now meeting with widespreadusage comprises a tubular end portion that is slightly tapered towardits free end and has a bore that opens onto a trough. This trough isdefined by a pair of flanges that are spaced from the tubular endportion by a pair of notches. These flanges are to be crimped' about thebared conductor which ispositioned in the trough. Between the ends ofthese flanges and the adjacent end of the terminal'are a pair of tabs inoffset relation which are of a height greater than that of the flangesand which are clinched about the insulation in a wrapped condition. i I

A crimping tool of the type with whichlthe present invention isconcerned includes an anvil jaw and a crimping jaw. Each of these jawscarries a conductor dieand an'insulation die. It is evident that if thecrimp 7 ing operation is' to be achieved with a high degree of portionof the tool on which the terminal locator is using the notches in theterminal to accurately locate the terminal relative to the respectivedies.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION gaging said notches.

3. To provide, in a tool of the kind described, a terminal locator inthe form ofa slide together with means for maintaining the slide inoperative position on a jaw face.

4. To provide, in a tool of the type used, spring means for biasing theslide in a direction which forces the'tongue on the slide into thenotches in the terminal.

I Various other more detailed objects arid advantages 'of the inventionsuch as arise in connection with carry,-

ing out the above noted 'ideas in a practical embodiment will in partbecome apparent andin part be hereinafter stated as the description oftheinvention proceeds.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION The foregoing objects are achieved byproviding a slide having an inwardly directed spring retaining .flange'at its lower end and an outwardly directed'flange at its upper end.Adjacent to its upper end the slide is found with an inwardly anddownwardly directed to'ngue as a continuation of said flange. Betweenits ends the slide is formed with a pair of slots which accommodatebolts. The slide is mounted on the outer face of the anvil jaw of thetool by a bracket'which is held assembled on the jaw by a pair of boltsextending through the slots. The bracket is formed with an inwardlyopening recess in which is received an expansion coil spring that urgesthe slide against the jaw face. Another expansion coil spring isdisposed between the lower edge of the anvil jaw and the springretaining flange on the slide. This spring biases the slide downwardlyin the direction in which the tongue is forced into the terminalnotches.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention referencemay be had to the following description andaccompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of a crimping tool including theterminal locator of this invention and dcpicting the jaws of the tool inclosed position.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary illustration of the tool of FIG. I but with thejaws opened.

FIG. 3is a perspective on an'enlarged scale of a terminal of the typewith which the subject tool is used and illustrates the condition of theterminal before crimping. I

FIG. 4 is another perspective showing the terminal of F IG. 3 as crimpedabout an insulated conductor.

FIG. 5 is an elevation of an enlarged scale of that mounted.

- FIG. 6 is a transverse vertical section through that portion of thetool illustrated in FIG. 5, being taken on the plane of the line 66 ofFIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective of the slide per se.

Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly toFIGS. 1 and2 acrimping tool of the type in which the present invention isincorporated is shown as comprising handles 10 and ll which arepivotally connected at 12. A crimping jaw 13 is pivotally connected tohandle 10 at 14 while ananvil jaw 15 is pivoted on handle 11 at 16.Apair of curved links 17, one on the fact at each side of jaws l3 and 15have their ends pivotally connected to the jaws at l8 and 19. The latterare aligned by a pin 20. Crimping tools of this type are now well knownin the art and a more detailed description thereof is believed to beunnecessary for thep'urposes of this specification.

' Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 anvil jaw 15 has an end portion 21 thatconstitutes a conductor anvil die, being formed integral with jaw 15. Aninsulation anvil die 22 is mounted on the inner face of end portion 21in any preferred manner, as by welding; It also may be formed integrallywith die 21.

.law 13 has an end portion 23 that is constituted a conductor crimpingdie. An insulation crimping die 24 Conductor anvil die 21 has anupstanding central portion 27 of an inverted V shape (FIG. the apex ofwhich is formed with a rounded recess which receives a portion of aterminal as will be later described. Conductor crimping die 23 is formedon its lower edge with a recess 28 of inverted V shape complemental tothe V shaped portion 27 which is received therein when the dies are inclosed position.

Insulation anvil die 22 has an edge surface at'29 which cooperates withend edge surface 30 (FIG. 6) of insulation crimping die 24 in crimpingportions of a terminal about the insulation.

Conductor anvil die 21 has an outer face 31 on which is mounted abracket 32. The latter has flanges 33 (FIG. 5) which engage die 21 and acentral portion 34 having an inclined face 35. Die 21 is formed with twothreaded openings 36. Headed screw bolts 37 pass through apertures 38and 39 in central portion 34 of bracket 32 and are screwed into openings36 to secure the bracket 32 in position on die 21. Opening 38 iscounterbored to provide a recess 40 for a purpose to be later described.It is also formed with passage 41 the inner end of which is flared at 42to facilitate the insertion of a terminal therein. Reception of aterminal in passage 41 prevents distortion of the terminal during acrimping operation.

Conductor crimping die 23 has an outer face 43 which is formed with arecess 44 which opens onto the crimping edge of the die and which recesshas a bottom surface 45 which functions as a guide as will be laterdescribed.

Referring now to FIG. 7 a slide is designated generally as S. Itcomprises a main body portion 46 of rectangular shape. Body portion 46is formed with two slots 47 and 48 which receive bolts 37 when the slideis assembled within bracket 32 on die 21. At its lower end body portion46 is formed with a spring retaining flange 49 terminating in anupturned lip 50.

Adjacent to its upper end slide S is formed with an opening 52. Theupper end of slide S is bent outwardly, that is in a direction oppositeto flange 49 to provide a flange 53 which is inclined as illustrated.Flange 53 is formed on its lower edge with a tongue 54 which projectsfrom the inner face of slide S in a downwardly inclined direction.

Slide S is assembled on die 21 in sliding engagement with face 31. Whenso assembled the lower edge of tongue 54 rides on guide surface 45 ofdie 23. Slide S is positioned between face 31 of die 21 and bracketportion 34. It is urged against face 31 by an expansion coil spring 55which is positioned about the bolt 37 in recess 40.

Another expansion coil spring 56 is interposed between the lower edge ofdie 21 and flange 49. Spring 56 biases slide S downwardly into aposition in which tongue 54 partially enters the passage defined by thecrimping surfaces of the die and therefore into the notches of aterminal that is positioned therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4 a terminal with which the subject tool isintended to be used will be described. A terminal is identified in itsentirety at T. It is of a metal conventionally used for electricterminals and includes a tubular portion 57 that has a slight tapertowards its free end.

Terminal T is ordinarily fashioned from sheet metal seam 58. At eachside of seam 58 at the inner end of tubular portion 57 is a notch 59.Adjacent to notches 59 is an open trough provided by flanges 60. It isthese flanges that are to be crimped to a bared conductor. Spaced fromthe end of a flange 60 is a tab 61 and a second tab 62 is spaced fromtab 61.

Prior to crimping, tabs 61 and 62 have the flared relation illustratedto facilitate the positioning of the in-,

sulation on a conductor therebetween. They are of greater height thanflanges 60. FIG. 4 illustrates the condition of flanges 60 and tabs 61and 62 aftercrimping to an insulated conductor.

OPERATION While the manner in which the subject terminal locatorfunctions is believed to be obvious from the illustrations of thedrawings and description of parts set forth above it is brieflydescribed as follows.

With handles 10 and l I spread in their open position slide S isdepressed relative to the tool, that is, it is moved upwardly, by theoperator by pressing against flange 49. This action is against theinfluence of spring 56. A terminal T is now inserted from the exposedside of insulation dies 22 and 24 through the passage defined by thecrimping surfaces of the respective dies, opening 52in slide S, andopening 41 in bracket 32.

Slide S is now released and spring 56 moves it downwardly. As thisaction takes place the free edge of tongue 54 rides along guide surface45 and enters notches 59 in terminal T.- Due to the inclination oftongue 54 a caming action takes place which accurately positionsterminal T relative to the dies.

An insulated conductor is now inserted into terminal T with the baredportion of the conductor abutting tongue 54 of slide S and assuming aposition in the trough between flanges 60. The end of the insulationassumes a position between tabs 61 and 62.

Handles 10 and 11 are now squeezed to perform the crimping operation.Slide S is again depressed and the crimped terminal and wire removedfrom the tool.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore'set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not tobe limitedto the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustratedand described because various modifications of these details may beprovided in putting the invention into practice.

' What is claimed is:

1. In a crimping tool for crimping a terminal having a tubular portion,a pair of notches adjacent to the tubular portion, a trough defined by apair of flanges adjacent to the notches and a pair of tabs in offsetrelation next to said trough, said trough receiving a bared conductorwith insulation on the conductor positioned between the tabs, said toolincluding:

a. a pair of pivotally connected handles,

b. an anvil jaw pivoted on one handle,

c. a crimping jaw pivoted on the other handle,

(I. mechanism assembling said jaws in pivoted relation,

e. a conductor anvil die on said anvil jaw having an outer face, 1 f. aconductor crimping die on said crimping jaw, g. an insulation anvil dieon said anvil jaw,

h. an insulation crimping die on said crimping jaw, all of said dieshaving crimping surfaces which define a passage adapted to receive saidterminal, the improvement consisting of:

I i. a slide slidably mounted on the outer face of said conductor anvildie, and having a cam tongue engageable with said notches in theterminal and constituting a stop for the bated conductor,

j. spring means normally biasing said slide into a position in whichsaid tongue partially enters said passage whereby it engages saidnotches when-a terminal is positioned in said passage.

2. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the conductor crimping die isformed with a recess on its outer face which opens into said passage andprovides a guide surface engaged by said tongue.

3. The crimping tool of claim 1 together with a bracket having a centralportion spaced from the outer face of the conductor anvil die with theslide being interposed between said bracket and said conductor anvildie.

4. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the slide is formed with anopening in alignment with said passage and through which the terminalextends.

5. The crimping tool of claim.3 in which the slide and 'bracketareformed with openings in alignment with I said passage wherebypositioning of a terminal in said aligned openings prevents distortionof the terminal during a crimping operation.

6. The crimping tool of claim 5 together with spring means carried bythe bracket for maintaining the slide in engagement with said conductoranvil die.

7. The crimping tool of claim 5 in which the conductor anvil die isformed with a pair of threaded holes, the slide with a pair of slots,and the bracket with a pair of holes, said holes and slots being inalignment, and a pair of bolts passing through said aligned openings andslots and having threaded ends screwed into said threaded holes. Y

8. The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the slide is formed with aspring retaining flange at its lower end and the spring means comprisesan expansion coil spring interposed between said flange and saidconductor anvil die.

9. The crimping tool of claim 6 in which the central portion of thebracket has an inner inclined face.

10. The crimping tool of claim 7 in which one of the holes in thebracketis counterbored to provide a recess and the spring means takes the formof an expansion coil spring in said recess and about the bolt passingtherethrough.

1. In a crimping tool for crimping a terminal having a tubular portion,a pair of notches adjacent to the tubular portion, a trough defined by apair of flanges adjacent to the notches and a pair of tabs in offsetrelation next to said trough, said trough receiving a bared conductorwith insulation on the conductor positioned between the tabs, said toolincluding: a. a pair of pivotally connected handles, b. an anvil jawpivoted on one handle, c. a crimping jaw pivoted on the other handle, d.mechanism assembling said jaws in pivoted relation, e. a conductor anvildie on said anvil jaw having an outer face, f. a conductor crimping dieon said crimping jaw, g. an insulation anvil die on said anvil jaw, h.an insulation crimping die on said crimping jaw, all of said dies havingcrimping surfaces which define a passage adapted to receive saidterminal, the improvement consisting of: i. a slide slidably mounted onthe outer face of said conductor anvil die, and having a cam tongueengageable with said notches in the terminal and constituting a stop forthe bared conductor, j. spring means normally biasing said slide into aposition in which said tongue partially enters said passage whereby itengages said notches when a terminal is positioned in said passage. 2.The crimping tool of claim 1 in which the conductor crimping die isformed with a recess on its outer face which opens into said passage andprovides a guide surface engaged by said tongue.
 3. The crimping tool ofclaim 1 together with a bracket having a central portion spaced from theouter face of the conductor anvil die with the slide being interposedbetween said bracket and said conductor anvil die.
 4. The crimping toolof claim 1 in which the slide is formed with an opening in alignmentwith said passage and through which the terminal extends.
 5. Thecrimping tool of claim 3 in which the slide and bracket are formed withopenings in alignment with said passage whereby positioning of aterminal in said aligned openings prevents distortion of the terminalduring a crimping operation.
 6. The crimping tool of claim 5 togetherwith spring means carried by the bracket for maintaining the slide inengagement with said conductor anvil die.
 7. The crimping tool of claim5 in which the conductor anvil die is formed with a pair of threadedholes, the slide with a pair of slots, and the bracket with a pair ofholes, said holes and slots being in alignment, and a pair of boltspassing through said aligned openings and slots and having threaded endsscrewed into said threaded holes.
 8. The crimping tool of claim 1 inwhich the slide is formed with a spring retaining flange at its lowerend and the spring means comprises an expansion coil spring interposedbetween said flange and said conductor anvil die.
 9. The crimping toolof claim 6 in which the central portion of the bracket has an innerinclined face.
 10. The crimping tool of claim 7 in which one of theholes in the bracket is counterbored to provide a recess and the springmeans takes the form of an expansion coil spring in said recess andabout the bolt passing therethrough.